Fed steers and heifers sold through auction markets this week at 340 head, were down 115 head from the previous week and 230 head lower than the same time last year. Fed steers averaged $277.83/cwt, down $11.42/cwt from last week but $37.92/cwt above last year. Fed heifers averaged $286.46/cwt, up $4.75/cwt from last week and $48.51/cwt higher than last year. Auction markets reported this week fed steers and heifers sold on a strong active trade at steady prices.
In Ontario, dressed sales were reported at $480/cwt delivered, $5/cwt lower than the previous week. For the week ending April 12th, Eastern Canadian processing was 7.3% below a year ago and 6.9% below the five-year average. YTD processing is down 1%, with steers down 1% and heifers up 2%, cows down 3% and bulls down 41%. For the week ending April 5th, Eastern fed cattle and cow exports to the US were 4,954 head, 45% above last year and 96% above the five-year average. YTD Eastern fed cattle and cow exports are up 58% from last year.
Cull cow receipts sold through auction markets this week were 1,527 head, down 134 head from last week and down 634 head from last year. Cows averaged $168.73/cwt, up $1.03/cwt from last week and up $22.84/cwt from last year. Beef cow prices averaged $174.31/cwt, up $1.46/cwt from the previous week’s trade and $20.65/cwt above year ago prices. Auction markets reported this week that cull cows sold fully steady to slightly stronger. On April 15th, cull cows sold $5.00-$7.00 higher at Keady Livestock Market. On Wednesday April 16th, cows sold full steady to $2.00 stronger.
Receipts of 3,750 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets this week, up 941 head from the previous week but 2,263 head less than the same week last year. Auction markets reported last week stockers sold actively on a sharply stronger market. This week, a good offering of grass type feeder cattle sold actively with strong buyer representation. A light run of stockers sold on a sharply stronger market with excellent buyer demand. Actual average prices collected this week saw steers from 400-500 lbs trading $31.31/cwt stronger than last week on average, 500-600 lbs up $39.31/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $26.84/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $30.19/cwt, 800-900 lbs were up $16.89/cwt, steers 900-1000 lbs up $0.72/cwt and steers 1000 lbs plus averaged $3.63/cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices. Heifers from 300-400 lbs were up $20.67/cwt from last week on average, 400-500 lbs down $0.56/cwt, 500-600 lbs up $28.67/cwt, 600-700 lbs up $47.59/cwt, 700-800 lbs up $14.61/cwt, 800-900 lbs up $16.14/cwt and heifers 900 lbs and over averaged $26.46/cwt stronger than the previous week’s weighted average prices.
For the week ending April 5th, Eastern feeder exports to the US were 1,017 head, 9% higher than last year and 110% above the five-year average. YTD Eastern feeder exports are down 17% from last year.
